Roughriders’ Mitchell Gale will start at quarterback against Ottawa

Before the game against B.C., Mitchell Gale couldn’t quite pinpoint the last time he saw significant time at quarterback, but Friday will be a game he won’t forget.

It was confirmed by head coach Chris Jones that Gale will start in place of an injured Darian Durant in the Riders match up with the Ottawa Redblacks.

Gale came to the Riders just two weeks ago in a deal that brought him to Saskatchewan and sent defensive lineman Shawn Lemon to the Argonauts. At the time, Jones said Gale was attractive to him because he already would have some familiarity with the offence.

Jones reiterated that after Saturday’s game.

“That’s why we brought Mitchell here, Mitchell knows what we’re doing,” Jones said, adding he didn’t feel he had to limit the offensive playbook at all when Gale played.

“He’s been a backup quarterback for a long time … I know he’s a pro, he spends a tone of time in here,” Jones added.

Gale said coming to Saskatchewan originally was a bit of a surprise and has been a bit of an adjustment, but he’s been working hard to get to know the players that make up the Saskatchewan offence.

“I think by nature the more you do something, the more comfortable you become with it, and I’m still trying to get used to the guys here,” he said Tuesday. “In any offence at this point in the season, you’re still trying to be more efficient, that’s the goal of everybody. “

Gale threw for 247 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s 40-27 loss to the Lions. He said it took him a few plays to get into game mode before he settled in and hit Nik Demski for that aforementioned TD. The second half was more of a struggle for Gale and the team didn’t manage a single first down in the third quarter.

“There’s always something to improve on, there’s some throws and some reads and some footwork stuff that I need to clean up and I think that just comes with time,” he said.

“There’s no magic trick I have to do to get ready, I just have to be ready to do my job and prepare to be the guy.”